Sometimes, All You Have to Do is Ask

Last year I had this idea for a short film that was inspired by a song I had heard. I knew that I had to use that song and had this thought that it could make a nice musical number at the end of the short. I wrote the script with this song in mind, but I didn't have the rights to the song.

The artist, who isn't as well known as most of the artists you see on the top-40 lists but who has a strong following and is one of my favorites, has a MySpace page to connect with her fans. I thought this might be a good way to get in touch with her about using her song in my short film. So, I wrote to her, telling her how much I loved her music and how I was an aspiring filmmaker hoping to use one of her songs in my film. I expected a pat response from a legal-type or agent or manager or somebody, but instead, got a very kind note from her telling me how she appreciated my kind words. She closed her message by stating that she was giving me permission to use her song.

After mentioning to a couple of fellow filmmakers and talking to a producer friend mine, I knew that if I wanted to submit the film to festivals I would need proof of permission, more than just a MySpace message. As a result, I wrote her back to request a business address to which I could mail the requisite music release forms. A couple days later, she messages me a PO Box address. I send the forms.

A few weeks go by and I hadn't heard anything, so I contacted her again to verify she received the papers; however, she said she had not. So, she actually gave me another address to attempt to send them. For whatever reasons, I hadn't sent another set of forms before today. And luckily so... for it would have been a waste.

In my mail box this morning was a priority envelope containing a signed release form for the use of her song. For free. It's nice to know there are kind individuals out there looking out for fellow artists.

Don't ever let anybody tell you that you can't get quality music for your films. Sometimes, all you have to do is ask.